The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-07-27

waves, seemed to drive dull and sordid
cares out of mind, and they were
young again, and the world full of
promise, and prizes were fair and lust
within reach; so it was only natural
as they Joined the well.dressed throng
OF pleasure-seekers on the beach, and
felt the sea-breeze appetite, that Mr..
Leonard should say:
"Now, Mary, for once let's have
good dinner, no matter what it costs,
Let's play we are rich, too, and 90 to
the Brighton. It's my vacation, YOU
know. and l am not going to the
mountains, so we can afford some
thing"
lhey seemed a part of that life as
they went in at the wide doors of the
great summer palace. He was a re-
fined, gentlemanly man, and she had
not lost the bloom of her comely
maidanhood. A portly, pursy
man, who might have been
a wealthy philanthropist, or a
brewer, sat next, and they talked of
stocks and the money market in
learned fashion. and Mr.. Leonard still
seemed apart of it all. He felt the
same when he paid his bill, four dol
lars for the two; then two more for
tickets; and three slipped away on
candies, their photograph, lemonade
and the lookout tower, Punch and Judy
shows and japanese fans, all part of
the Beach offerings. Nine dollars it
counted up in all, but then it was 'only
for once"
At home, however, they were so en-
thusiastic that Rob and Arthur set ND
acclaim and begged 50 hard, lust for
once" that, for peace's sake, Mr.
Leonard finally took them for day in
another direction. That "only cost
half as much" he gleefully stated.
Sibyl heard at the time, but it had
been part of her whole life, and
made no deep impression, until this
morning, when her fathers remarks
and the lean purse opened her ewes.
She began to think and grow wise.
One day she bought blank book for
five cents and made some entries in it.
Over these she sometimes pondered
and made a few figures at the sides.
Then she would shake her head wisely.
One night, after some weeks, she de-
cllned going to concert, and Ralph
staid at home rather than 90 alone.
When MI. Leonard came in, he found
his family all quietly busy in the sit
ting-room.
~ thought you were going out" he
said 20 Ralph.
II was, but Sibyl didn't want to 60"
'Why not, Sibyl? A good affair,
guess"
II chose to save the seventy cents,
Sir" his daughter answered, promptly,
for her guns were ready and she was
only waiting occasion.
"Oh, you might have had that"
'It's the Titles make the mickles,
sir"
"Well, we can never have the
'miclSles,'" her father answered, good
naturally, $50 we might as well enjoy
the 'littles.''
Eyes. we could, SIR" sibyl an
swered, promptly. Her father looked
surprised.
"How, pray'"
by saving those Titles, sir have
only been looking at it these last two
or three weeks, but I know it is So"
'What do you mean?"
81 mean, if we saved carefully on
the little things, we might have some
thing, sometime, worth the while"
"What, for instance?'
Cali go to the country next summer
for your vacation"
''And go fishing and boating?" cried
Ralph.
"And ride horses to drink" "And
feed chickens?" called out Rob and
whose chief acquaintance
with the country was through picture
books.
"And pick daisies and hear brides !
sing?" chimed in little four-year-old
Nell.
IF we only could!' the mother said,
wishfully. Il wonder if the grass |
would feel half as cool and soft under
my feet as it used to when I was a |
grip"
Perhaps Sibyl will manage it to let |
is stop at some of the four-dolla r-a-day
hotels yet" Mr.. Leonard said, banter
ngly.
mo, sir; no such poor fortune as
hat" his daughter returned. "Its
he real country we want, and there
ire plenty of farm-houses where board
IAN be had for five dollars week. /
rave heard the high school girls tell of
hem"
But even that, daughter! Just
hink; there are seven of us; that
means thirty-five dollars week.
''Yes, sir, less what it costs to keep
IS here. Call that five; then it's thirty
beside travelling; but we need not go
NJ"
1--WE can never do it, daughter.
ut sounds large, father, because we
ay it all at once. One dollar seems
more than four quarters, and that's
ust our trouble here" persisted Sibyl.
How will you convince us, daugh-
err"
And for answer Sibyl produced
tout tin box with lock and key.